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Just listened to it this morning and liked it quite a bit. I can't go into many details because I'm not a big fan of the band's past output except as a novelty. However, this I liked. Musicianship was really good with a jazzy vibe as well as good rocking-out moments.

No matter what anyone says, you are the decider of how you will listen to music.

Somewhere after Gong’s 2032 album Daevid Allen sought to renew the Gong band, in a shuffle that would eventually replace the entire old guard. Bassist Dave Sturt was first to arrive in 2010, while reed player Ian East jumped on board shortly thereafter. Allen’s son and drummer Orlando Monday Allen arrived in 2012, and following a series of concerts in Brazil, guitarist and long time greater Gong family member Fabio Golfetti joined the fold. Prior to recording 2014’s excellent I See You album, singer and guitarist Kavus Torabi was recruited.

A few corrections to the above :

- both Dave Sturt and Ian East joined in 2009 for the "2032" tour (I seem to remember Mike Howlett did a few of the early dates before moving to Australia for a few years, and maybe Theo Travis also did a few - he certainly had done the 2008 London gigs, and played on the album). That touring continued into 2010 with the same line-up (Daevid, Gilli, Steve, Miquette, Dave, Ian and Chris Taylor on drums).

- Gong re-appeared in 2012 for extensive touring. New to the band were Fabio Golfetti on guitar/gliss and Orlando Allen on drums. Otherwise, Daevid and Gilli were still there (Gilli missed a few gigs, and that was the last touring she did with Gong), as were of course Dave Sturt and Ian East. That line-up did a few more gigs in 2013. By 2014, Kavus Torabi had joined too, and there were a few gigs in South America, the only ones with both Daevid and Kavus.

- In late 2014, a European tour was planned [to coincide with the release of "I See You"] with Daevid still on board, but he had to bow out due to illness, so the tour got scaled down and it was decided to do it with a UK-based drummer instead, so Cheb Nettles joined then, and the resulting band has remained unchanged since : Kavus, Dave, Ian, Fabio and Cheb.

The new album is good. It'll take a few months I'm sure to know whether it is a keeper, but the initial impressions are positive.

Two comments: First I'm glad they didn't do any goofy Pothead Pixie stuff. Only Daevid could pull that off without looking ridiculous.

Second, they have created a new space rock sound that is clearly consistent with what early Gong tried to do (minus the PHP stuff of course!). I'm glad they don't try to sound like the Ozrics or any more recent purveyors of the genre. It is their own sound.

I love the new album, I have played it frequently over the past few days, and feel it harks back to the classic "70's trilogy" sound, but has a modern sheen and re-energises the band for the present era.

As noted above Kavus is a sure mark of quality, and the legacy seems to have been passed on to worthy successors. I think Daevid and Gilli would definitely approve.

I hadn't realised the tour was already upon us, I want to go to the London gig on Friday, but am currently double booked and need to do some clever diary management to make it, but it would be a huge shame to miss out.

- both Dave Sturt and Ian East joined in 2009 for the "2032" tour (I seem to remember Mike Howlett did a few of the early dates before moving to Australia for a few years, and maybe Theo Travis also did a few - he certainly had done the 2008 London gigs, and played on the album). That touring continued into 2010 with the same line-up (Daevid, Gilli, Steve, Miquette, Dave, Ian and Chris Taylor on drums).

.

Aymeric, I will send you all my writings for proofing first... at least the relevant ones

Anyway, ticket booked to HRH Prog in Sheffield. Finally, a chance to see this lineup live and some other great bands from the era. Does anyone know what Vintage Caravan are?

I was reluctant to buy this new album, as I was a bit put off by some of the overt silliness of the albums I listened to years ago. But because it's a Kscope release, and I buy-before-I-try, I decided to go with it.

So glad I did - it's an excellent album, and a great way to (re)discover Gong if you've not listened to them before. I've put together a brief blog review to share my thoughts on the album:

Also playing in Salisbury for the ABC Convention - Benefit for Tim Smith - July 13th at the Salisbury Arts Center. A great price for the whole weekend - you also get to see Lost Crowns, Blue Apple Boy, Gasman, Vonhorn, The Display Team, and Sunday 14th - Emily Jones, Crayola Lectern, and Valve --- now that is a badass weekend.

Count me in amongst those who are really enjoying this record. It channels the best of Flying Teapot Gong, has distinct echoes of late 70s Hillage, taps into a rich seam of space rock, whilst managing to sound completely contemporary. A real step forwards from its splendid predecessor.